Cat health question. Need help.

[japple]

Tiny is a 12 yr. old neutered male tuxedo cat. He has always been extremely healthy, eats mostly wet, but some dry commercial cat food. He's always been quite trim and is motivated by attention, not food. He used to go outside quite a bit when we lived in NC, and he was quite a hunter, always eating what he caught. Now that we live in Georgia, he doesn't go out much, and I don't think he's eating wild critters. Lately, though he seems to be more boney than he has been, although I don't think his weight has dropped. He went for his annual check-up and shots with our new vet and she said he was okay. (It was a busy day for her, so she asked me to drop him off and let her "work him in" when she could, so I didn't get to be there when she examined him.) Within the past week or two, I've noticed a couple of episodes where he has something that looks like wet paint below his anus. I don't think it's tapeworm, because I don't see any cysts where he sleeps. He seems to feel okay other than being a tad arthritic.

Can anyone pick up any clues from this? I've been a cat mommy for many years and haven't had anything like this with other cats. He is a sweet boy (my Sweet Baboo) and I can't stand the thought of him being sick.

[NMDemDist2]

1. I'm sorry about your BaBoo, did she do a feline leukemia test?

if he's an outdoor cat he should be vaccinated for that regularly

[japple]

4. Yes he had a feline leukemia test and he always gets

his vaccines (FVRCP, rabies) on schedule.

[sadinred]

2. it can't hurt to do a good thorough blood workup. I just had my

cat done and it cost "only" $124.00 which included an office visit. Well worth it I think.

My kitty was sick so I'm very glad I did it!

Cats hide symptoms very very well! Don't trust him to let you know if he's ill.

I hope all is okay.

[BrklynLiberal]

3. Try a different vet who will be more accommodating and sit with you and

listen to your worries and be very thorough in his/her examination.
Please get back with an update and let us know how Tiny is.

EDIT: Could any of this be a reaction to the shots he got? Did you notice any of this before you took him to the vet for the check up?

[japple]

5. Yes, I've been noticing the boney-ness for some time.

This past year has seen a big shift in our lives. My husband, Bob, and I were planning to move from NC to GA to take care of my Dad, when my husband died suddenly a week before our move. My two cats and I are now living with my Dad who is a very active 86-yr. old and his little dog, Lady. Both the cats seemed to have adapted well, and have even learned to like and respect Lady. I know cats often don't accept change very easily, but Tiny seems to be emotionally well, and I am wondering if maybe he isn't just showing some signs of aging. Tiny and Oscar both loved Bob, but Tiny has always been my boy and Oscar seemed to go for Bob's lap. These days, both cats compete a bit for my affection even though I assure each one that he's the favorite.

In all fairness to our vet, she is a kind and caring person and I will go back and talk to her about Tiny. She was just rushed the day I took him in. She has started a pet rescue and advocacy group in our large, rural county (where most residents consider their animals as chattel), which I am also helping with.

[IndyOp]

6. Oh, my. I am so sorry to hear about your loss.

My father died before my mother and it was so, so difficult to watch. I tried to be there as much as possible, but, of course, could not carry the burden of her loss.

I am glad to hear that you are living with your father and volunteering in your new community - you sound like a very strong woman. :hug:

I would agree with the poster above - ask for a complete blood panel for Tiny - I think it would let you know what is happening most quickly and accurately. There are several manageable diseases that might cause Tiny to be 'bony' including diabetes - it is common in cats and easily and inexpensively treated.

Your vet sounds like a good one - just let her know that you must be present during the exam.

Please let us know what happens next with Tiny.

Welcome to DU! :hi:

[China_cat]

11. Quick check...get your vet to check his urine for sugar.

Eating normally but losing weight, drinking excessively, flooding cat box or missing the box can all be signs of diabetes...usually accompanied at diagnosis by an infection of some kind. (We have 2 diabetics. It's real easy to miss in the early stages.)

[japple]

7. I just made an appt. for Tiny to have blood drawn tomorrow

and scheduled time to talk with the vet. Will keep you posted. Thanks for all the warm wishes and good advice. DU is truly a godsend.

[amerikat]

8. have his kidneys checked

if hid back on the two side are getting thiner and he wets alot i mean alot have his levels checked

good luck

robin

[sadinred]

9. yes I second that. My cat has kidney disease and he's lost

a lot of muscle on from his back and sides.

Post again when you know more! I've gotten tons of help here from wise and experienced people.

[japple]

10. Yes, Tiny is in the early stages of kidney disease. The vet put him on

a canned food called IVD, which he refuses to eat. I would like to switch him to raw foods and took the information I got from the website recommended by another DU by the vet's office. When I talked to her (before she read the info) she said she would be willing to help me come up with a suitable diet for Tiny.

Several relatives have told me they would help me get raw venison, rabbit and duck that I could mix up and put in the freezer, but they haven't come through. I did try him on raw chicken necks and liver, but he wouldn't touch it. He is now eating a much better human food-grade fish catfood from the natural foods store. A friend told me that Science Diet KD saved her sister's cat's life--gave him 8 more years.

[China_cat]

12. Kidney disease

needs a much lower protein content.

[IndyOp]

13. I think there is debate about whether the issue

is protein content or type of protein -- Airmen's Mom is the expert on raw diets around here and I think she has more info on this, if you are interested in this issue.

:hi:

[IndyOp]

14. Jap - Hang in there!

I am glad to hear that you took Tiny back to the vet and got a diagnosis. I know it is scary to learn of a serious diagnosis - but a relief to know that you know what is going on.

Please scratch Tiny behind the ears for me!

:hi:

[japple]

15. Thanks, IndyOp. I've been pm'ing Airmen's Mom and she has

a wealth of information and knowledge about raw diets. If anyone has any questions about it, she is sincerely willing to help. I know there is quite a bit of controversy about it, but my vet is willing to work with me on it and I'm inclined in that direction. In the meantime, I'm trying to gradually switch him from organic fish catfood to the IVD canned diet. When I have him on that, I'll try to start trying raw foods. He seems addicted to fish catfood, will hardly eat any other kind, but since he used to be a great hunter, I think he might like raw foods once he figures out the program. One summer about 5 years ago, he decimated a small colony of flying squirrels. He used to gross me out crunching on their "wing" flaps, but he really enjoyed those little critters. Since I've moved and he doesn't go out as much, he never gets anything in the wild. I think Oscar learned to hunt by observing Tiny, but he would never eat his prey. He brought it home and Tiny would eat it!

Tiny and I are convinced that we'll have much more time together. It seems that in the past 2 weeks or so, he has more energy and that might be because I'm feeding him a better diet. Thanks for the good advice and concern from you fellow DUers. I love this place.

[wildeyed]

16. My dogs was diagnosed with kidney failure.

With the diet change and eventually IV fluids, she lasted years longer than any of the medical professionals expected. :hug: